Bulldogs Tied for Lead after Round One at Dartmouth Invitational

HANOVER, N.H. - The Yale men's golf team is showing no signs of
slowing down, after graduating Colby Moore '09 and Taylor Hakes
'09. The Bulldogs came out firing at the Dartmouth
Invitational on Saturday and are currently in a tie for first place
with Central Connecticut. Yale (295) is two shots ahead of
Boston College (297) and Sacred Heart (297) and four shots ahead of
host school Dartmouth (299).

That's the official story. The Bulldogs actually played 27
holes on Saturday in preparation for the rain that could come on
Sunday, and unofficially, the Bulldogs are still leading.

"We ended up playing an extra nine holes today because of
tomorrow's forecast for rain," said Wescoe. "As it stands
right now, I believe we are in a tie for first with Dartmouth."

At the end of the first round, the Bulldogs were led by a pair
of freshmen, Brad Kushner and Carson Weinard. Two athletes
who just three weeks ago were not even college students shot the
Bulldogs right into first place. Kushner and Weinard are
currently in a tie for ninth place, after shooting rounds of 73
(+2).

"I'm very proud of the freshman," said Wescoe. "Brad and
Carson are leading us and Russel played well for team two. To
have two freshmen leading us, while still adjusting to college life
and college golf is great."

The freshmen got a lot of support from their
upperclassman. Junior Brandon Marick followed closely behind
with a round of 74 (+3), putting him in a tie for
15th. The only returning starters to play for the
Bulldogs this week were senior captain Ben Wescoe and junior Thomas
McCarthy. Wescoe and McCarthy were Yale's All-Ivy players
last year, and they showed why, each carding a round of 75 (+4),
putting them in a tie for 19th and the Bulldogs in a tie
for first.

Yale's second team had a solid day as well and is currently in
eighth place with a score of 307. They were led
by senior Seve Gonzales, who shot a score of 75 (+4) and is
currently in a tie with McCarthy, Wescoe, and others for
19th place. He was followed closely by junior
Michael Fader who shot a round of 76 (+5) and put himself in a tie
for 25th. The Bulldogs other freshmen, Russell
Holmes, had a strong showing in his first collegiate round, posting
a 77 (+6). He is in a tie for 31st. This
year's sophomore class, Jeff Hatten and Zach Plutzik, finished in
ties for 45th and 68th, respectively.
Hatten fired a 79 (+8), while Plutzik came in at 89 (+18).

While other teams had lower scorers than the Bulldogs, no team
had the depth and consistency that the Bulldogs exhibited. No
one on Yale's first team shot a round in the 80s and only one
player on Yale's second team did so. Not only that, but no
one on Yale's first team shot a score above 75.

"It is fun having all ten guys on the road," said Wescoe.
"It is also a great opportunity to have everyone play some
tournament golf. To have ten guys that can lead this team at
any point in time is a great asset for us. We like having
such strong internal competition. This kind of talent and
depth bodes well."

The lowest round of the day belonged to Fordham's Jason Del
Rosso, who shot a score of 67 (-4). Other players in red
figures were Greg Beloin of Central Conneticut with 69 (-2) and
Luke Feehan of Boston College with 70 (-1).

"We know we can play better," said Wescoe. "Today wasn't
anything stellar, but we are right in the hunt."